Istanbul Airport says operations now powered entirely by solar energy
iGA Istanbul Airport has announced that it is now meeting all of its operational electricity demand through solar energy, becoming what it describes as the world's first mega-airport to source 100% of its electricity from renewable solar power.
image: Istanbul Airport
The milestone follows the commissioning of the Eskişehir Solar Power Plant, a €220 million project developed by the airport operator as part of its long-term sustainability strategy. The facility has an installed capacity of 240 megawatts and covers approximately three million square metres in Türkiye's Eskişehir province.
According to iGA, the solar power plant generated energy equivalent to 54% of the airport's annual electricity consumption within its first five months of operation. Airport officials said the project now enables all electricity used within the airport's operational responsibility to be supplied from renewable sources.
Selahattin Bilgen, chief executive of iGA Istanbul Airport, said the achievement reflects the airport's approach to integrating sustainability into its business strategy and long-term growth plans. He said the solar project represents a significant step towards the airport's target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
The airport estimates that the solar power plant will help avoid approximately 212,800t of carbon dioxide emissions annually. iGA also reported that its Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions have fallen by 27.8% compared with a 2019 baseline.
Renewable energy generation and energy efficiency measures are becoming an increasingly important component of airport sustainability strategies. While aircraft emissions remain the largest contributor to aviation's climate impact, airport operators are focusing on decarbonising ground operations through renewable electricity, electrification and energy management programmes.
The Eskişehir Solar Power Plant is believed to be one of the largest renewable energy projects developed by an airport operator globally.